Basketball with an expert: Rankings to welcome football fans inside the gyms

Despite their record, the Yates Lions are still one of the area’s best squads. (Thomas B. Shea/For the Chronicle)

With football season now in the rear view mirror, it’s time to turn our attention to basketball season – or soccer if that’s your pleasure (those teams start their seasons Thursday).

As far as the hardwood, we’ll pick up where we left off last season in collaborating with Jim Hicks, founder and editor of RCSsports.com, in our coverage of Greater Houston boys basketball. You can follow him on Twitter (@RcsSports).

We’ll hit on different topics each week and include some of the week’s must-see games. To get us back in gear, we’ll start with area rankings as district season is in full gear.

Port Arthur Memorial is the big mover in 5A after knocking off Beaumont Central, Ozen and North Shore in a seven-day stretch. The Titans also went from unranked to in the state’s top 10 this week as well.

Don’t be fooled by Yates’ record. The Lions, who have won two titles and played for two more since 2009, put together one of the roughest schedules you’ll find. The losses have come to nationally-ranked teams and in gyms across the country. Yates, which is still third in state in 3A, is already 4-0 in district play and remains a favorite to get back to Austin.

Yates vs. Washington (Pavillion), 5:30 p.m.
Players to see: J.C. Washington, 6-6, Sr. (UH signee); Dytrell Richard, 6-3, Sr. (15.9 points per game)
What’s at stake: Both teams are unbeaten in District 23-3A. Yates is still the region favorite, but the Lions have lost five of their last six games. Washington has been rolling lately, and the winner of this historic rivalry would make quite a statement.

North Shore at Beaumont West Brook, 7 p.m.
Players to see: Kerwin Roach, 6-4, Jr.; Michael Zeno, 6-6, Sr. (New Orleans signee)
What’s at stake: North Shore travels to Beaumont and hopes to avoid losing its second game in a row. West Brook has yet to lose in 22-5A, and a win would keep the Bruins atop the standings.

Langham Creek vs. Cypress Lakes (Berry Center), 7:30 p.m.
Players to see: Jerome Segura, 5-10, Sr. (Fairfield signee); De’Aaron Fox, 6-3, So. (23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists)
What’s at stake: Langham Creek is 2-0 in 17-5A while Cy Lakes (1-1) recently loss a heart breaker at home against Cypress Woods. Another defeat would dig the Spartans into an early hole. The point guard battle should be epic: Segura is the area’s top-rated floor general while Fox is the state’s top scoring sophomore.